HF Toolbox drawer label - end tabs

[JeepCO12]

This is a long shot (and not that important in the scheme of things!)

In 2012 I bought the US General tool box from Harbor Freight and it has always bugged me that the labels in the drawer handles kept sliding out. I was going to glue them in place with something sometime but never have. Then I bought the smaller box a month ago and it came with black plastic end caps to retain the labels. I called Harbor Freight to see if I could get 26 of them or a couple of bags to use on my old box. They want $1.50 for each piece which is crazy - I thought that would be for a bag. So... 26 x $1.50 for parts that should be about a cent each. The customer service lady said - try sourcing them elsewhere... So - anybody know of another source before I just silicone the stupid things in?

Old box with label sliding out and new box with black end caps:

 

[iMarZ]

throw the strips and plastic away and use a labeler. I have an old brother labeler and the silver matches great. No plastic sliding out or plastic endcaps on the floor.

 

[FigureItOut]

PM me your address and I'll send you these.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[firworks]

Those drove me nuts as well, but instead of end caps I just removed them along with the trim. I like the look of the box a lot better without all that on it. I've still got the pieces though incase I change my mind some day.

I made a video about it:

If you skip to like... 1:12 I think there's some shots of the box with everything removed.

 

[davidhansen]

I also just used a labeler. There are letter stickers you can get at craft stores too that let you label that way too.

 

[jeremy v]

I have the same style drawers you have. I don't like fuss or unnecessary complication, so I threw all the sliding label insert junk away and wrote by hand directly along the aluminum with a Sharpie instead (in the channel where the labels used to be). It works great, lasts indefinitely, it's cheap, and a little dab of rubbing alcohol (cheap at any drugstore) on a paper towel takes it off instantly any time I need to change my labels around.

 

[jakemac]

I go to the craft store and buy printable magnetic paper and make my own labels.
If I want to move the drawers around, I just switch the magnets.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5866273#post5866273

 

[crewchief888]

maybe it's just me, but i've never had to label my drawers to know what was in them..

 

[JeepCO12]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions - I was out Jeeping yesterday so just reading this now. Fireworks - good idea and nice video - but I think I am going to stick with the white trim on the drawers if I can - at least for now.

Figureitout - thanks for the offer - I sent you a PM.

I still can't get over the idea that HF prices these tiny bits of plastic at $1.50 each ... Ridiculous!

Best wishes ............ Gary

 

[FigureItOut]

Figureitout - thanks for the offer - I sent you a PM.



Best wishes ............ Gary

I'll get it sent out today.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[ryan20021982]

I don't understand why they come with the smaller box and not the bigger ones, I just bought a 56" about 3 months ago and it does not have them.

 

[lotsoftools]

maybe it's just me, but i've never had to label my drawers to know what was in them..

Labeling would be nice for the first couple after getting a new box, but after that I remember where everything is.

 

[YOM1963]

maybe it's just me, but i've never had to label my drawers to know what was in them..

The labels are not for me, but for my son when I'm stuck to or otherwise unable to move away from the work piece and I need the whatchamacallit that is in "that" drawer.

 

[djcslice]

If anyone else has some, I am looking for them as well. I started a WTB thread but got 0 responses.

 

[freddyford]

Get a good label maker, you will find lots of uses for it. I bet the $1.50 was for a full bag too. They are so stupid on the phone it isn't even funny.

 

[JeepCO12]

Many thanks to FigureItOut for the end tabs. I am now free of the frustrating sliding label cards. I used a label maker but did not remove the label backing - that way I can just slide them out and make new ones when the drawer contents change.

Djcslice - I did not use all the tabs - sending you a pm so you can tell me how many you need. I can mail them on to you and you can thank Figureitout.

Best wishes ......... Gary

 

[Nutty 5.0]

Bumping this to see if anyone has some to spare or sell. I bought a new main box, top and the sides. They shorted me them in the main. I did call HF and they sent new ones out. What they sent was everything but the black end tabs! I'd be happy to trade out the other pieces for the end tabs if someone wants them too.

 

[ScottsGT]

I use the white inserts and a Brother printer on them. A 1" piece of Scotch tape works wonders wrapped around the end of the channel.

 

[flying eyeball]

all the cool kids have a labelmaker...I got mines 2nd hand from epay.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

I have a label maker and already did them. But I like to use the end caps.

 

[Kaizen]

Labeling would be nice for the first couple after getting a new box, but after that I remember where everything is.

I know the bottom and top 2 layers. The rest in between are "specialized" stuff not used every day so nice to have a label so I don't have to open and close them.
Anyone that knows every drawers contents with no labels needs more tool boxes!!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Wow, I didn't get the end pieces with my 72 inch either.

 

[ScottsGT]

I label mine because my family uses the tools too. My wife would go ******* trying to look in every drawer. Hmmm, on second thought maybe I should remove them. Might be worth the LOL watching her.

 

[skulldrinker]

Those drove me nuts as well, but instead of end caps I just removed them along with the trim. I like the look of the box a lot better without all that on it. I've still got the pieces though incase I change my mind some day.

I made a video about it:

If you skip to like... 1:12 I think there's some shots of the box with everything removed.

Thanks I never knew they came off.

 

[gungatim]

I say no to the R

 

[ScottsGT]

Reviving this thread for any updates on HF adding these to inventory in stores? I just finished my 44+ side into a work bench and my side cabinet came with them, but not the 44. WTF HF!

Off to Advance Auto for door trim.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Looks like I'm getting a label maker and door trim.

 

[ScottsGT]

Door trim trick will work, but cannot use a 1/2” piece to fill the entire edge since the extruded aluminum wraps around the back edge and its just too thick for the door edging to wrap around. Had to clip off a tiny 3/16 piece and put up at the top edge.
Might be a different brand that works, but not the one I bought.

I did sent an email to HF asking why these aren’t normal stock items we could purchase, or why they don’t come will all the boxes.

 

[Lucky13driver]

My boxes didn't come with the ends also.

 

[Bob275]

My Harbor Freight gave me the bags out of the display.

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[ScottsGT]

I searched for the post. Never could find it.

 

[gungatim]

I searched for the post. Never could find it.

And you never will

 

[ScottsGT]

Thanks!

 

[AR-Trvlr]

Anyone ever try 3D printing these?

 

[azroadrunner]

Bumping an old thread, I know, but hoping anyone has these old end caps that they don’t need. My kids are teens and the other day I asked them to grab a tool while I was under the truck and they were opening up every drawer. I had to go get it myself but today I realized it is time to install my HF clips and labels only to find out my 44” doesn’t come with them, only the side attachment drawer came with them. Anyone know where I can find a plug and play white labels, clear plastic shield and especially the black end caps? Thanks in advance.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Anyone know where I can find a plug and play white labels, clear plastic shield and especially the black end caps? Thanks in advance.

What about something magnetic to just put on the front of the drawer. Probably could do your own if you have magnetic strips and a label maker.

 

[GeoBruin]

I had a friend 3d print some for me. The work great. In fact, I had him oversize them slightly so they can be really wedged in and don't pop out so easily. I just tried to find the .stl but I couldn't track it down. It looks like there are other designs available though.

Printables

www.printables.com

 

[Stelzer]

Wouldn't clear packing tape work in lieu of the plastic covers? You could get the narrow tape or trim to fit. Maybe it wouldn't, I really don't know. I've got 6 boxes and I pretty much know where everything lives, and nobody goes in my boxes but me, so I'll save the labels for when I get old and forget where stuff is.

 

[GeoBruin]

Wouldn't clear packing tape work in lieu of the plastic covers? You could get the narrow tape or trim to fit. Maybe it wouldn't, I really don't know. I've got 6 boxes and I pretty much know where everything lives, and nobody goes in my boxes but me, so I'll save the labels for when I get old and forget where stuff is.

I'm pretty much the same way but I have thought about making some labels for the rare occasion when my wife has to dig through my boxes for something. But they would be customized to how she thinks about tools, e.g. "smashy things", "twisty things", "pointy things", "clicky things", etc.